The Press Box.

Chiefs' Smith Ends Holdout

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Defensive end Neil Smith ended his holdout, signing a series of one-year contracts in time to join the Kansas City Chiefs for their opener against the Buccaneers at Tampa Bay.

Smith, the Chiefs' designated franchise player this season, will be paid at least $1.7 million under the NFL's new collective-bargaining agreement. The figure represents the average salary of the five highest-paid defensive linemen in 1992. Terms of the deal were not released.

"He's up there, I can say that," said Smith's agent, Eugene Parker, from his office in Fort Wayne, Ind. "Neil's an elite player in the league and his contract reflects that."

Coach Marty Schottenheimer had said earlier that if Smith signed by Saturday he would be able to play at least a limited role against Tampa Bay.